With a professional working relationship spanning three decades, Gary F Martinez FAIA and Thomas E Johnson FAIA founded Martinez+Johnson Architecture in 1994 to bring their design sensitivities to institutional and cultural projects in urban locations. The 25-architect firm has since established an expertise in three main architectural areas – the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic structures, institutional buildings in urban areas and community settings, and the design and planning of performing arts venues.

Known for a thoughtful design approach to public facilities, M+J develops an intimate understanding of the needs of users, patrons, and operators destined to inhabit the projects of the firm. M+J looks to the future in their design aesthetic even when the context may be firmly rooted in the past and executes creative solutions to facilities both new and historic, where flexibility, ease of operation, and high but versatile performance characteristics are requisite. Venues express aspirational values and goals of the communities within which they are located, and at the same time conform to issues of economic value at the highest levels of environmental sustainability.

Tarrytown Music Hall

Tarrytown Music Hall

Tarrytown, New York

Over three decades, The Music Hall has developed a remarkable music programming schedule within its 1885 building to serve Westchester County and beyond. Martinez+Johnson Architecture worked with the operators to conduct a full improvements study to assure 21st century sustainability while also realizing several small immediate projects. The programming and planning effort was critical in the development of a comprehensive Master Plan that will allow the Music Hall to continue as a cultural beacon and fulfill and expand on its commitment to the cultural and educational needs of its community.

Opportunity

M+J conducted an analytic process through meetings with representatives and users of the Music Hall in an effort to understand existing space conditions and current and future programming goals. Key personnel including executive, administrative, production, and technical staff were engaged in discussions to develop an understanding of specific activity needs, desired adjacencies, and functional efficiencies. A space program emerged to accommodate proposed activities, and conceptual design options were prepared for renovation, restoration, and expansion with estimated costs for selected options.

Creation

The adequacy of the existing facility and infrastructure and the benefits of specific modifications, expansions or complete replacements were evaluated through programmatic and functional analysis. Specific issues addressed involved auditorium seat replacement and seat count increase, improved stagehouse capability and performance systems, mitigation of front of house and back of house deficiencies, decorative finishes restoration, box office improvements, accessibility strategies, improved loading opportunities, and increased parking capacity.

The Master Plan articulates a vision for an addition to the historic building that addresses many of the needs established during the analysis process such as much needed restrooms, expanded lobby areas space for concessions and merchandise, back of house support spaces, a patron lounge, and a new, more intimate performance space. Transparent and welcoming, the new structure will be located on the side of the existing theatre set back from the main street in order not to compete with the historic resource and to resolve many accessibility and access issues. The resulting outdoor space is envisioned as an arts plaza and link to the greater community.